Shelbyville Eagle

06/23/2026

Ralph Edward May, 91, of Shelbyville, IL, formerly of Westervelt, passed away at 10:55 p.m. Saturday, June 20, 2026, at Shelbyville Manor.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, June 25, 2026, at Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL, with Tom Bray officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 24th in the funeral home. Burial will be in Traughber Cemetery, Moweaqua, IL. Memorials may be given to Blessings in a Backpack or Shelby County Community Services Activity Fund. Send condolences to www.howeandyockey.com
Ralph was born on September 3, 1934, in Moweaqua, IL, the son of Raymond “Bunt” and Verna R. (Pleasant) May. He attended Moweaqua schools and began working at Caterpillar at the age of 17. He married Joyce Schnute on December 21, 1952, in Pana, IL. In his early years, Ralph ran a grocery store in Westervelt that later turned into “The Shed”: a gathering place with monthly music, candy and “sody” for the kids in town and where he started the annual Westervelt Christmas Party. While working in Decatur, Ralph began selling Electrolux Vacuum Cleaners, which eventually led to him opening May’s Vacuum Repair. Ralph was always piddling around with something, fixing things that were broken, and never passed up a good sale or the chance to tell you that the Cardinals were better than the Cubs. Ralph served on the Shelby County Board for 22 years, the Shelby County 708 Board for Mental Health, and was a member of UAW Local 751. He was also a member of the former Grace United Methodist Church in Westervelt and Westervelt Christian Church. Ralph enjoyed fishing and gardening, had thirty of everything and never let you leave his house empty-handed. Ralph never knew a stranger and was so proud of his family, especially his great grandchildren.
Ralph is survived by his son, Michael May and wife Vicki of Shelbyville; daughters, Linda May and LuAnn May both of Shelbyville, IL; granddaughters, Rebecca Miller and husband Nathan and Danielle Culberson and husband Eric both of Shelbyville, IL; four great grandchildren, Adalynn and Jaden Miller, and Kenly and Jed Culberson; and one bonus great grandson from Spain, Rai Serrano.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Joyce on September 26, 2017; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, John and Mary Lewis, Kenneth and Jane Gilpin and June and Delmar McDonald; and nephews, Kenny Lynn Gilpin and Phil McDonald.
The family would like to thank the staff at Shelbyville Manor for the love and care they gave to Ralph.

06/22/2026

Virginia Mae Lieb, 74, of rural Stewardson, IL, passed away at 3:56 p.m. on Saturday, June 20, 2026, surrounded by family in Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center.
Visitation will be from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL, followed by a service at 3:00 p.m. Burial will be in Gallagher Chapel Cemetery, near Fancher, IL. Memorials may be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Send condolences at www.howeandyockey.com
Virginia was born on June 13, 1952, in Peoria, IL, the daughter of Kenneth and Laverne LaConte Behnke. Virginia married Michael O. Martin and they had two daughters, Tammie and Laurie. Michael preceded her in death on May 18, 1980. She later married Larry L. Lieb on October 1, 1982. Viriginia worked as a supervisor at Hydro-Gear in Sullivan, IL. Virginia enjoyed gardening, crocheting, baking and reading Stephen King novels. She was recently baptized at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Mattoon, IL.
Virginia is survived by her daughters, Tammie Martin (Bill Douglas) of Stewardson, IL and Laurie Lilly (Kaleb) of Overland Park, KS; sister, Valerie Hasty of Roanoke, IL; brother, Michael Behnke of Decatur, IL; three grandchildren, Noah Yoder, Isaac Lilly, and Coen Lilly; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth and Laverne Behnke; husband, Michael Martin; sisters, Pam McCabe and Debbie Behnke; and brother, David Behnke.

06/20/2026

06/17/2026

Thelma Rose “Rosie” Eigsti, 85, of Shelbyville, IL, passed away at 7:05 p.m. on Monday, June 15, 2026, in St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, IL, surrounded by loved ones.
Funeral services will be held at noon on Monday, June 22, 2026, in Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m.-noon on Monday in the funeral home. Burial will be in Mt. Hermon Cemetery, near Shelbyville, IL. Memorials may be given to Shriners Hospitals for Children. Send condolences at www.howeandyockey.com
Mrs. Eigsti was born on May 3, 1941, in Shelbyville, IL, the daughter of Harley Lester and Retha Irene (Milligan) Agney. Rosie grew up on a farm, with her parents and three brothers, in rural Shelbyville and attended Shelbyville schools. She married Roy Eugene Eigsti on January 27, 1960. Rosie and Roy ran the Interstate Café in Shelbyville for many years. Rosie previously worked at Hiny’s Restaurant in Shelbyville, Quality Pallets in Windsor, Stew-Stras schools in their kitchen, The Timbers in rural Strasburg and cleaned homes. She was a member of the former Mt. Hermon Amish Mennonite Church, near Shelbyville, and recently attended the Fourth Street United Methodist Church in Shelbyville. Rosie enjoyed traveling, spending time with her family and will be fondly remembered for her homemade meals, donuts, and pies.
She is survived by her children, Rhonda Kay Doemelt of Florahome, FL, Ryan Kent Eigsti of Shelbyville, IL, Rose Yvonne Miller (Mark) of Neponset, IL and Renee Lynn Rentfro (Chris) of Shelbyville, IL: brothers, Larry Agney (Lynn) of Shelbyville, IL, and Robert “Bobby” Agney (Carole) of Decatur, IL; grandchildren, Kris Reed (Jessie), Zach Doemelt (Ashley), K***n Reed (Shiloh), Jacob Rentfro (Makenzie), Ashley Spesard (Cameron), Hailey Uphoff (Elliott), Lindsey Brown (Dalton), Josie Dial, Kayla Rentfro, Lena Miller and Mary Ellen Miller; and great grandchildren, Devin Edwards, Delaney Prosser, Tess Reed, Hemi Reed, Ariea Reed, Chesney Reed, Eden Doemelt, Archie Doemelt, Madeline Uphoff, Margot Uphoff, Julian Brown, Tally Spesard, Paisley Rentfro, and Aubrey Rentfro; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Roy Eigsti on July 21, 2014; son, Revis Dean Eigsti; brother, Harley Agney, Jr.; and granddaughter, Liberty Doemelt.

06/15/2026

Donald Lee Dragovan, Sr., 74, of Shelbyville, IL, passed away at 12:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Shelbyville Manor.
A visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on June 25, 2026, at Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the First United Methodist Church Food Pantry. Send condolences at www.howeandyockey.com
Don was born on February 16, 1952, in Joliet, IL, the son of Joseph W. and Dorothy (Zobel) Dragovan. He attended Western Illinois University and later earned a master’s degree from Governors State University, University Park, IL. He married Luanna Fae Buzzard on September 12, 1981, and they had three sons, Nathan, Andy and Donald, Jr. Don taught Psychology at Joliet Junior College, Lake Land College in Mattoon and Richland College in Decatur. He also worked as a painter at both Caterpillar in Decatur and Murphy Construction in Shelbyville.
He is survived by his three sons, Nathan Dragovan (Katalyn), Andy Dragovan (Hillary), and Donald Dragovan, Jr. (Casey) all of Shelbyville, IL; seven grandchildren, Reed, Wesley, Drew, Bailee, Charlotte, Huxley, and Eleanor Dragovan; and sister, Linda Beckham of Joliet, IL.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Dorothy; and sister, Diane Johnson.

06/11/2026

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers waives day use fees at recreation areas in observance of Army Corps of Engineers’ Birthday


The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will waive day use fees at its more than 2,800 USACE- operated recreation areas nationwide on June 16, 2026, in observance of the agency’s birthday.

At Lake Shelbyville, day use fees at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-operated boat launch ramps and swimming beaches will be waived for the day. The waiver does not apply to camping and camping-related services or fees for specialized facilities, such as group picnic shelters and special events.

Visitors are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to enjoy Lake Shelbyville's recreational facilities while practicing safe and responsible recreation. Lake Shelbyville offers boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, camping, wildlife viewing, and many other outdoor recreation opportunities for visitors of all ages.

USACE also offers other fee-free days throughout the year to mark days of celebration and commemoration. In 2026, fee-free days are:

• Presidents Day: February 16, 2026
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Birthday: June 16, 2026
• Independence Day Weekend: July 3–5, 2026
• National Public Lands Day: September 26, 2026
• Veterans Day: November 11, 2026

The fee-free initiative was first instituted on Veterans Day 2006 with the intent to support and honor the men and women who have served the nation in the U.S. Armed Forces.

USACE is one of the leading federal providers of outdoor and water-based recreation, hosting millions of visits annually to its more than 400 lake and river projects. It is estimated that 90 percent of USACE-operated recreation areas are located within 50 miles of metropolitan areas, offering diverse outdoor activities for all ages close to home.

To discover a USACE recreation site near you, visit www.corpslakes.us or www.recreation.gov.

For additional information about Lake Shelbyville recreation opportunities, contact the Lake Shelbyville Project Office at (217) 774-3951.

Secure .mil websites use HTTPSA lock ( ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

06/09/2026

Water main break on the Lithia Road.
A large water main break last night around midnight has interrupted water service to residents and businesses on the Lithia Road. Shelbyville Water Department crews are working to restore service and a boil order will be in effect for 24 hours after service is restored.